Atel Electronics RP-WP288P User manual

RP-WP288P
USER’S MANUAL

W
Wi ir re el le es ss s L LA AN N C Ca ar rd dB Bu us s C Ca ar rd d
W
Wi ir re el le es ss s L LA AN N P PC CI I A Ad da ap pt te er r
User Manual
Version: 1.2
(December. 2003)

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
I
Copyright
Copyright © 2003by this company. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of this company
This company makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or
implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any
warranties, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Any software
described in this manual is sold or licensed "as is". Should the programs prove
defective following their purchase, the buyer (and not this company, its
distributor, or its dealer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing,
repair, and any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in
the software. Further, this company reserves the right to revise this publication
and to make changes from time to time in the contents hereof without obligation
to notify any person of such revision or changes.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
II
All brand and product names mentioned in this manual are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Federal Communication Commission
Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio technician for help.
FCC Caution
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits. However, in order to
avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC exposure limits, this device and its
antenna should not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.”
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the authority to operate equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the authority to operate equipment.
R&TTE Compliance Statement
This equipment complies with all the requirements of DIRECTIVE 1999/5/CE OF
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL of March 9, 1999 on radio
equipment and telecommunication terminal Equipment and the mutual
recognition of their conformity (R&TTE)

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
III
The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC
(Telecommunications Terminal Equipment and Satellite Earth Station Equipment)
As of April 8, 2000.
Safety
This equipment is designed with the utmost care for the safety of those who
install and use it. However, special attention must be paid to the dangers of
electric shock and static electricity when working with electrical equipment. All
guidelines of this and of the computer manufacture must therefore be allowed at
all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment.
EU Countries Intended for Use
The ETSI version of this device is intended for home and office use in Austria
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, (with Frequency channel restrictions)
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The ETSI version of this device is also authorized for use in EFTA member states:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
EU Countries Not intended for use
None.
Potential restrictive use
France: Only channels 10,11,12, and 13

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
1
Chapter
1
Installation
The product includes a CD-ROM containing the drivers and configuration software
for the installation of the WLAN CardBus Card / PCI Adapter under Windows
environment. The drivers are compatible with Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Two separate installation procedures are provided in this chapter:
?Installation for Windows 98/Me/2000 Systems and Quick Configuration
?Installation for Windows XP Systems and Quick Configuration
*Note: Be sure that there is no WLAN CardBus Card / PCI Adapter inserted in
your PC at this stage*
Installation for Windows 98/Me/2000
1. Insert the driver CD into the CD-ROM of your PC and execute the “Setup.exe”
program. The InstallShield Wizard box will appear, click “Next”to continue.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
2
2. Click “Browse”to locate the driver on your CD-ROM, then click “Next”to
select the right folder. The following wizard box will appear to show the
folder’s information.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
3
3. Select “Yes”and click “Finish”to restart computer.
4. After reboot, insert the Wireless LAN CardBus Card / PCI Adapter into your PC,
and the Windows System will install the rest of the driver automatically.
Note 1: After installing a new network adapter, Windows automatically configures
the TCP/IP protocol to automatically obtain an IP address from a DHCP
server. Depending on your setup, you may want to consider specifying a
fixed IP address for your new wireless adapter.
Note 2:If the Configuration & Monitor Utility icon is not shown on system tray, it
means the installation is not successful. Select “Uninstall WLAN
Monitor Utility” in program folder to remove this device, and restart
your computer to make the changes effective.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
4
Quick Configuration Guide: Windows 98/Me/2000
Following installation of your Wireless LAN CardBus Card / PCI Adapter, the device
must now be configured for your network. If no network is available, or if the
device does not need to be associated with a network at this time, the following
steps are unnecessary.
1. Left-click on the Signal Strength indicator icon in the System tray (lower
right hand area of your Desktop screen) to launch the Wireless LAN PC Card
Properties window.
2. A list of available network SSIDs will be provided in the Site Survey window, if
any is detected or available. Select a network and choose Connect Now. This
will connect the network immediately. If needed, choose Scan Now to restart
network detection.
3. If a network is chosen and requires a network key (WEP), you choose
Properties and select Data encryption (WEP enabled). The key should be
entered in the Network Key field. Choose the Key index ,Key Format and
Key Length options which apply.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
5
If the Wireless CardBus Card/PCI Adapter is used with an Access Point, the
checkbox This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network… should not
be checked.
4. Click OK to return to Wireless Network Configuration.
5. Choose the Type of Network to connect to. Check the check box if Networks
of choice are valid connections. Note that Non-preferred networks may not
be secured via WEP.
6. Select Apply to attempt to connect to the specified network.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
6
Installation for Windows XP
1. Insert the Wireless LAN CardBus Card / PCI Adapter into your PC.
2. The Found New Hardware Wizard will automatically detect the new card.
3. Select Don’t Search. I will choose the driver to install and click Next.
4. The Hardware Wizard will display compatible drivers for the Wireless LAN PC
Card. Select Have Disk.
5. When prompted for drivers, insert the Driver CD and enter d:/ into the Copy
manufacturer's files from field, where d: is the location of the CD-ROM
drive with the Driver CD. Windows will search for, install the Wireless LAN PC
Card driver, and display the following screen.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
7
6. Select Continue Anyway. Windows XP detects that the driver does not
contain a digital signature. The Wizard then displays the following screen.
7. Click Finish to complete the driver installation.
Note:After installing a new network adapter, Windows XP automatically
configures the TCP/IP protocol to automatically obtain an IP address from a
DHCP server. Depending on your setup, you may want to consider
specifying a fixed IP address for your new wireless LAN PC card.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
8
Quick configuration Guide: Windows XP
Following installation of the Wireless LAN PC Card, the card must now be
configured for your network. If no network is available, or the card does not need
to be associated with a network at this time, the following steps are unnecessary.
1. Left-click on the Signal Strength indicator icon in the System tray (lower
right hand area) to launch the Connect to Wireless Network window.
2. A list of available network SSIDs will be provided, if any are detected or
available. If a network is chosen and requires a network key (WEP), the key
should be entered in the Network Key field.
3. Click Connect –This will attempt to connect the Wireless LAN PC Card to the
selected network.
4. If you are having difficulty connecting, click Advanced to open the Wireless
LAN PC Card Properties.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
9
5. Select the SSID of the network to log on, and click Configure. This will open
up the Wireless Networks Properties window.
6. Ensure the WEP key is correct. If the Wireless PC Card is used with an access
point, the checkbox This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network…
should not be checked.
7. Click OK to return to Wireless Properties windows.
8. Select OK again at the Wireless Properties window.
9. Finally, click Connect to connect the Wireless LAN PC Card to the selected
network.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
10
Chapter
2
Glossary
A
Ad-Hoc Mode -A client setting that provides independent peer-to-peer
connectivity in a wireless LAN. An alterative setup is where PCs communicate with
each other through an access point. An Ad-hoc integrated wireless LAN is a group
of computers, each has a Wireless LAN adapter, Connected as an independent
wireless LAN. Ad hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a
branch or SOHO operation.
B
Bandwidth -The transmission capacity of a given facility, in terms of how much
data the facility can transmit in a fixed amount of time; expressed in bits per
second (bps).
Bit -A binary digit. The value (0 or 1) used in the binary numbering system. Also,
the smallest form of data.
BSS ID -A specific Ad hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a
BSS must be configured with the same BSS ID.
D
Default Gateway -The routing device used to forward all traffic that is not
addressed to a station within the local subnet.
DHCP server and client -DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
This protocol is designed to automatically load parameters for the TCP/IP network,
including the IP address, host name, domain name, net-mask, default gateway,
and name server address. The machine that provides this service is called the
DHCP server, and its client computers are called DHCP clients. If client computers
support DHCP, a TCP/IP configuration is not needed on each client computer.
Domain -A sub-network comprised of a group of clients and servers under the
control of one security database. Dividing LANs into domains improves
performance and security.
Driver -A workstation or server software module that provides an interface
between a network interface card and the upper-layer protocol software running in
the computer; it is designed for a specific NIC, and is installed during the initial
installation of a network-compatible client or server operating system.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
11
DSSS (Direct-Sequencing Spread-Spectrum) -DSSS operate over the radio
airwaves in the unlicensed ISM band (industrial, scientific, medical). DSSS uses a
radio transmitter to spread data packets over a fixed range of frequency band.
E
Encryption -A security method that applies a specific algorithm to data in order
to alter the data's appearance and prevent other devices from reading the
information.
Ethernet -The most widely used LAN access method, which is defined by the IEEE
802.3 standard. Ethernet is normally a shared media LAN meaning all devices on
the network segment share total bandwidth. Ethernet networks operate at 10Mbp
using CSMA/CD to run over 10Base T cables.
F
Firmware -Program that is inserted into programmable read-only memory
(programmable read-only memory), thus becoming a permanent part of a
computing device.
Fragmentation Threshold Value -Indicates how much of the network resources
is devoted to recovering packet errors. The value should remain at its default
setting of 2,432. If you experience high packet error rates, you can decrease this
value but it will likely decrease overall network performance. Only minor
modifications of this value are recommended.
Fragmentation -Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a
network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.
I
IEEE -The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IEEE 802.11b standard -The IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN standards
subcommittee formulating standards for the industry. The objective is to enable
wireless LAN hardware from different manufacturers to communicate.
Infrastructure Mode -A client setting providing connectivity to an Access Point.
As compared to Ad-Hoc Mode where PCs communicate directly with each other
clients set in infrastructure Mode all pass data through a central Access Point. The
Access Point not only mediates Wireless network traffic in the immediate
neighborhood but also pro-vides communication with the wired network. An
integrated wireless and wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure
configuration. Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to
central database, or wireless application for mobile workers.
IP Address -An IP address is a 32-bit number that identifies each sender &
receiver of information that is sent across the Internet. An IP address has two
parts: the identifier of a particular network on the Internet and one identifier of a
particular device (which can be a server or a workstation within that network).

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
12
ISM band -The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside
bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band.
Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available
worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient
high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.
L
LAN -A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices
that share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a
single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an
office building).
M
MAC Address -12-digit hexadecimal number that identifies a networking product
on the network.
Mbps (Megabits per second) -One million bits per second; unit of measurement
for data transmission.
N
Network -A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data
between users.
Node -A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work
station.
O
Open System -Is when the sender and the recipient do not share a secret key.
Each party generates its own key-pair and asks the receiver to accept the (usually
randomly) generated key. Once accepted, this key is used for a short time only;
then a new key is generated and agreed upon.
P
Packet -A unit of data routed between an origin and a destination in a network.
PCMCIA -Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
Plug and Play -The ability of a computer system to configure expansion boards
and other devices automatically without requiring the user to turn off the system
during installation.
R
Roaming -The ability to use a wireless device and be able to move from one
access point's range to another without losing the connection.

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
13
RTS/CTS Threshold Value -Should remain at its default setting of 2,347. A
preamble is a signal used to synchronize the transmission timing between two or
more systems. A series of transmission pulses is sent before the data to indicate
that “someone is about transmit data.” This ensures that systems receiving the
information correctly when the data transmission starts.
S
Shared Key -Is when both the sender and recipient share a secret key. Both
units use this key for an extended length of time, sometimes indefinitely. Any
eavesdropper that discovers the key may decipher all packets until the key is
changed.
Signal Strength -The signal level indicates the strength of the signal as received
at the wireless network interface.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) -A standard network protocol
that can be used to manage networks locally, or worldwide via the Internet.
Spread Spectrum -Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency
technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical
communication systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for
reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed
than in the case of narrowband transmission,but the trade off produces a signal
that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver
knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver
is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread –spectrum signal looks like
background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).
SSID (Service Set Identifier) -Is the unique name shared among all points in a
wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all points in the network. It is
case sensitive and must not exceed 32 characters.
Static IP Address -A permanent IP address that is assigned to a node in an IP or
a TCP/IP network.
Subnet -A subnet is a logical sub-division of a Local Area Network that has been
divided by means of routers or gateways. A subnet may include multiple LAN
segments. Each subnet is identified by the Subnet Mask.
T
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) -The basic
communication language or protocol of the Internet. It can also be used as a
communications protocol in a private network (either an intranet or an extranet).
When you are set up with direct access to the Internet, your computer is provided
with a copy of the TCP/IP program just as every other computer that you may
send messages to or get information from also has a copy of TCP/IP.
W

Wireless LAN CardBus Card / Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
14
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) -A data privacy mechanism based on a 40 bit
shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802 .11 standard. The optional
cryptographic confidentiality algorithm specified by IEEE 802.11 used to provide
data confidentiality that is subjectively equivalent to the confidentiality of a wired
LAN medium that does not employ cryptographic techniques to enhance privacy.
Windows workgroup -A Windows workgroup can consist of either wireless or
wired network connections or a combination of the two. Usually a Windows
workgroup consists of members who are related because of a shared function, e.g.
members of the same department. For a Windows workgroup it is not relevant
where the workgroup participants are located, since the members of a Windows
workgroup are identified by their workgroup name only.